Thanks again to Darren Dreger. This is much of what most of us have hypothesized, but it does confirm that the timetable for Phoenix is running out. Here is his article…

Winnipeg will soon find out whether or not the Phoenix Coyotes franchise will return to the city it once called home.

Sources tell TSN this decision will be made within the next three weeks, if not sooner.

With Jerry Reinsdorf’s deal to buy the Coyotes hanging precariously in limbo, sources say Glendale city officials are scrambling, trying to push Ice Edge Holdings to sign an agreement of exclusivity, with ties to the existing lease, in time to position a proposal for vote at next Tuesdays Glendale city council meeting.

Ice Edge has been willing to discuss the possibility since being approached by Glendale city officials late last week, and will further consider the opportunity as discussions continue throughout the day, however without an assurance from the National Hockey League that the city is committed to funding operating losses next season, a deal with Ice Edge may not get off the ground.

Sources close to the situation are also concerned Glendale may be using Ice Edge as leverage to lure Reisndorf back into discussions and perhaps, into a revised proposal that is far less reliant on city subsidies.

If the Reinsdorf deal is officially pulled off the table and Glendale and the NHL cannot present Ice Edge with a purchase package this group is willing to swiftly accept, the National Hockey League may have to expedite its plan “B” and relocate the Coyotes.

Although there is no deal in place to formalize Winnipeg as the relocation target, Winnipeg is considered the frontrunner based on the belief the cities fan base and arena makes it a turn key operation available to house an NHL team in a short turnaround period.

Quebec City, Kansas City and Las Vegas are also among the cities identified on the list of options. However, the NHL would require assurances from Vegas and Quebec City that new, acceptable facilities, would be built in a timely manner.

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On a little unrelated note. The drums are beating again in Quebec City about bringing a team there. Pierre Karl Peladeau (big business) says that other US teams are about to find themselves in the same mess as Phoenix, and Quebec City should be next on the list!